Title

Author

Date of Award

1972

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Physics

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Stephen V. Letcher

Abstract

The pulse-echo technique has been used to measure ultrasonic absorption and velocity in Na-K and Na-Rb alloys. Data were taken at temperatures from -5° C to 250° C using frequencies from 15 MHz to 105 MHz. It has been found that both Na-K and Na-Rb have absorption peaks near 67 atomic percent Na. The magnitude of the absorption was found to be much greater in the Na-Rb solutions. The results in Na-Kare consistent with previously reported measurements that were attributed to the equilibrium process 2Na + K⇌Na2K. However, it is further speculated that the high attenuation in Na-Rb Is due to a critical phase separation.